The Nourished CEO Podcast

What if the way you’ve been taught to plan your year is actually setting you up to fail? That’s exactly what we’re diving into with Megan Sumrell, a time management and productivity expert who helps women entrepreneurs create schedules and plans that actually work. After more than 20 years in IT and project management, Megan realized traditional planning systems built on masculine structures don’t account for women’s realities: biological cycles, caregiving responsibilities, and unpredictable schedules.  She developed a new framework designed specifically for women entrepreneurs, so you can finally set goals and stick with them without burning out. In this episode, Megan and I explore why conventional annual planning fails, how to shift your mindset so your plans feel achievable, and the exact steps you can take to design a realistic roadmap for your year ahead. If you’ve been avoiding annual planning because it feels overwhelming, or your goals never survive past March, you’ll want to press play on this conversation. ⏱️ Episode Timeline [2:32] – Why annual planning can feel overwhelming (and why so many women avoid it). [3:09] – Megan’s backstory: from IT project management to time management for women. [7:08] – The biological and mental load differences that affect planning. [13:26] – Why “planning in a vacuum” leads to failure. [18:39] – How to create appropriately scaled plans that match your season of life. [28:57] – Aligning the idea of 10x growth with realistic planning. [38:52] – A reflection exercise to jumpstart your 2026 annual plan. [44:13] – Inside look at Megan’s annual event, Planapalooza. 💬 Top Quotes from Megan “When we try to apply masculine planning techniques in a feminine reality, we end up thinking something’s wrong with us, when in fact, the system just doesn’t work for our lives.” “Annual planning isn’t about writing rules in stone. It’s about creating a roadmap that allows you to pivot intentionally when life inevitably shifts.” “Most people plan in a vacuum, assuming they have wide-open calendars. But the truth is, your time has a budget just like money does.” “Wouldn’t you rather accomplish one realistic goal this year than abandon five because they weren’t sustainable?” “Life is never going to stop throwing curveballs. The sooner we learn to plan with flexibility, the more progress and peace we create.” 🔗 Links & Resources Planapalooza – Megan’s annual planning event (I'll be there!) FREE TRAINING: HOW TO PLAN, MANAGE, AND ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE... Even With a Crazy and Unpredictable Schedule!  Connect with Megan on Instagram: @megansumrell Download The Pink Bee app (free on iOS + Google Play) for productivity tools and training If this episode helped you rethink annual planning, I’d love if you shared it with another entrepreneur who needs this encouragement. And don’t forget to follow, rate, and leave a review! Your support helps us reach more business owners ready to plan and grow smarter, not harder.

If you’ve ever wondered why your audience is engaging but not buying, this episode is going to shift everything. I’m sharing a powerful new framework I introduced during a recent training that had our live attendees and NBA students buzzing, and I knew I had to bring it to the podcast. Inside this episode, I walk you through the Avatar Elevation Pyramid: a framework that helps you identify exactly who you’re attracting in your business right now... and whether they’re actually ready to buy from you. We’re going way beyond traditional “ideal client avatar” talk, because let’s be honest, vague demographics and surface-level pain points just don’t cut it when it comes to attracting premium buyers. I’ll show you the five types of audience members you're likely speaking to — from the “sleeper” to the “seeker” to the “solver” and beyond — and help you determine which ones are draining your energy and which ones will actually invest. Whether you’re brand new to business or 10 years in, chances are your messaging is attracting the wrong people… and this episode will help you shift that today. 🧭 Timeline Summary [0:00] - Why your avatar might be the #1 thing holding your business back [3:09] - Introducing the Avatar Elevation Pyramid: what it is and why it matters [5:21] - Pain vs. pleasure motivation: how psychology shapes buyer behavior [8:19] - Level 1: The Sleeper — why you should never build your business around this audience [11:21] - Level 2: The Struggler — the “rescue me” energy that drains your business [14:12] - Level 3: The Seeker — they love your freebies… but never buy [18:29] - Level 4: The Solver — your best entry-point client (and how to attract them) [22:21] - Level 5: The Succeeder — the ultimate client for premium, high-level offers [26:47] - The bottom line: stop trying to convert, and start speaking to the right people 💬 Top 5 Quotes “Your job is not to turn a struggler into a solver. Your job is to speak to what they already want.” “Most of the engagement in your audience is going to come from the seeker and the struggler, but they rarely, if ever, buy.” “The less hesitant someone is to invest, the less work you have to do to convince them, and that’s the energy we want in our business.” “It’s not that you’re not good at what you do, you just might be speaking to the wrong audience entirely.” “Speak to the solver who wants to become the succeeder. That’s where your best sales and your best client outcomes will come from.” 🔗 Links & Resources Want to dive deeper into your client attraction strategy? Learn more about the NBA (Nourished Business Accelerator) Connect with me on Instagram: @lauraschoenfeldrd 💛 Final Thoughts I hope this episode gave you some serious clarity around who you're actually speaking to in your business, and what needs to shift if you want to attract clients who are ready to invest. Remember, we’re not here to convince anyone.  We’re here to call in the people who are already motivated and just need the right support to move forward. If you got value from this episode, please take a moment to rate, review, and share the show. It helps more amazing coaches and practitioners like you find this content, and it truly means the world to me. Thanks for tuning in and I’ll catch you in the next one!

What if the overwhelm you’re feeling in your business isn’t just burnout—but undiagnosed ADHD? In this episode, I sit down with business coach, mom of three, and author Mariah Scrivens to talk about her late-in-life ADHD diagnosis and how it reshaped the way she sees herself, her motherhood journey, and her business. We dive into the very real signs of ADHD in high-achieving women—like hyperfixation, executive dysfunction, and rejection sensitivity—and how these show up inside entrepreneurship. Mariah shares her story of building and burning down businesses, balancing twins and coaching, and learning how to embrace her neurodivergent brain rather than fight against it. If you’ve ever struggled with forgotten emails, following through, or felt like your brain just works differently, this conversation will be both validating and encouraging. ⏱️ Episode Timeline [2:12] – Mariah’s journey from kindergarten teacher to six-figure business owner and then coach. [6:50] – Why she walked away from her first business after a family health scare. [7:54] – The surprising path to her ADHD diagnosis and what testing really looked like. [11:18] – Everyday signs of ADHD: hyperfixation, executive dysfunction, fidgeting, and the “hobby graveyard.” [13:09] – How ADHD shows up in business, especially around consistency, offers, and even bookkeeping. [16:16] – Why ADHD and rejection sensitivity can make sales and follow-ups so difficult. [27:53] – Creating ethical urgency and supportive sales structures for neurodivergent clients. 💬 Top 5 Quotes from Mariah “I’m trying not to make it my entire personality right now, but on the other hand, it kind of is my entire personality.” “For me, it just started clicking about my childhood—things I thought were normal weren’t actually ‘normal’ at all.” “Sales are education. All you’re doing is providing people the opportunity to make a decision.” “Rejection sensitivity means every ‘no’ feels like the end of the world, which makes following up feel impossible.” “Giving people parameters and clear deadlines is actually very caring—it removes ambiguity without being manipulative.” 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Mariah on Instagram: @mariahmakesithappen If you enjoyed today’s conversation, I’d love it if you could rate, follow, and review The Nourished CEO Podcast on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps more amazing entrepreneurs like you find the show, and it means the world to me!

What if the key to standing out in a crowded online health and fitness industry isn't some flashy new marketing trick, but a deeper understanding of who you actually help and why they should work with you? Today I’m joined by one of our standout NBA clients, Zach Lewandowski—a personal trainer turned online nutrition coach who helps high-performing professionals lose fat and build sustainable habits. Zach shares his powerful journey of rebuilding after spending $18K on the wrong coach. From broken trust to bold pivots, he opens up about the real lessons, strategies, and mindset shifts that helped him create a profitable business that actually feels good to run. If you’ve ever been burned by a business coach or felt stuck trying to “do it all” without the ROI you expected, this one’s for you. Episode Timeline [2:24] – Zach’s journey from 17-year-old personal trainer to online health coach [4:00] – The challenge of standing out in a crowded health & fitness industry [6:42] – Shifting from broad messaging to specific, client-centered language [9:23] – Why Zach stopped chasing “more content” and focused on quality over quantity [13:19] – Spotting red flags in sales conversations and protecting your coaching energy [16:24] – How the sales landscape has shifted since 2020 and what’s working now [21:44] – Zach’s experiences with shady mentors, lawsuits, and rebuilding trust [35:35] – Why simplifying to one high-ticket offer transformed Zach’s business [43:40] – The power of retention and why Zach shifted from 9-week to 6-month programs [47:11] – Final advice for coaches navigating today’s tougher online market Top 5 Quotes from This Episode “When you’re educated and not chasing gimmicky buzzwords, it’s tough to stand out—you have to be crystal clear on who you help and how you help them.” “I stopped trying to push out tons of content. Now I focus on being very specific and detailed, even if I’m only speaking to 100 people.” “If you try to juggle 10 different strategies, you won’t be great at any of them. Simplicity always wins.” “Retention is everything. Even if you don’t sign new clients for a couple months, recurring revenue keeps your business alive.” “It’s going to take much longer than you think, probably double or triple the time. But if you stay consistent, it’s worth it.” Links & Resources Connect with Zach on Instagram: @fortifiedstrength Learn more about my program, The Nourished Business Accelerator: DM me NBA on Instagram 💬 Thanks for tuning into The Nourished CEO Podcast! If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love it if you left a review, shared this episode with a friend, or hit follow so you never miss a new one. Your support means the world to me and helps more amazing coaches and experts discover the show!

What happens when your newly updated sales funnel “should” be working, the leads are rolling in, and everyone says they’re ready… but almost no one buys? How do you handle the biggest sales slump you’ve had all year? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I turned the slowest start to a month this year into our highest cash month to date—from $6K in the first 12 days to nearly $60K by the 31st. Spoiler: It didn’t happen by chasing trends, burning everything down, or throwing more money at ads. I walk you through the six strategic shifts (plus one bonus move) that created the breakthrough, starting with a personal realignment in my spiritual life and leading into CEO-level decisions that refined my funnel, optimized our follow-up, elevated our offer suite, and re-centered how I show up as a leader.  If you’re sick of chasing trends and craving sustainable growth that honors both your mission and your margin, no matter what’s happening week to week in your business, this episode is for you. Timeline Highlights [00:00] From 20 qualified leads and 1 sale to a record-breaking $60K month—how I transformed August in 18 days. [02:31] Step 1: Reclaiming my spiritual foundation and how reconnecting with God re-centered my identity and decision-making. [17:23] Step 2: Rebuilt my funnel (again) by ditching “proven” advice and trusting my instinct to speak to real buyers, not browsers. [27:23] Step 3: Slashed ad spend by 50% because scaling a broken funnel doesn’t fix anything. [29:40] Step 4: Recommitted to sales calls and showing up for potential clients and leading decisively. [33:13] Step 5: Installed a 7-day deadline with automated follow-up so I’m no longer nurturing indecision. [39:21] Step 6: Created a high-ticket, done-for-you offer for clients who don’t want DIY, serving those ready for full-service support. [43:21] Bonus step 7: Made it easier for action-takers to apply quickly, removing friction for my most aligned leads. Top 5 Quotes from This Episode "Your identity should not be in your business, because if it is, it doesn't matter how good your business is, you're always going to be disappointed." "I really had to get my identity back into my relationship with God and not into the sales numbers, the revenue goals, or even the reputation I have online." "Sometimes leadership as a CEO means stepping back into parts of your business you were hoping to get out of because that’s what’s required to make sales." "It wasn’t luck. It wasn’t just from manifesting. I had to do a lot of work, and I had to make CEO-level decisions." "Being able to respond, not react, is what allows you to grow month after month, year after year without rebuilding from scratch every 90 days." Closing Remarks I hope this conversation gave you not only tactical insight but a deeper sense of permission to lead from alignment, not urgency.  Remember: Cold streaks don’t define you as a CEO. Your ability to recalibrate and lead with discernment does.  If this episode spoke to where you are right now, I’d love for you to share it with a fellow coach or practitioner who’s building their online business with the same integrity and vision. And if you haven’t yet, take a moment to rate, follow, and review the show—it helps more mission-driven leaders like you find this space.  

If you’ve ever wondered “How am I supposed to run a business and be a present, loving mom at the same time?”—this episode is for you. I sat down with maternal mental health expert and transformative coach Kate Kripke, LCSW, PMH-C, to talk about the inner shifts high-achieving women must make to balance business and motherhood without drowning in guilt, overwhelm, or burnout. Kate shares her personal journey into maternal mental health, the lessons she’s learned from supporting moms for over 20 years, and how we can shift from trying to control everything to creating deeper connection with our kids and ourselves.  This conversation was full of “aha” moments for me personally as I navigate early motherhood while running a business, and I know it’s going to give you practical perspective shifts you can lean on in your own season. ⏰ Episode Timeline Highlights [00:01:19] – Kate’s background: growing up in a high-achieving household and how her postpartum anxiety shaped her career path [00:03:34] – Why maternal and child mental health are deeply connected—and why moms’ wellbeing comes first [00:07:45] – The “middle ground” moms: what about those of us who don’t fit the extremes of “perfect mom” or “hot mess mom”? [00:10:14] – External changes vs. internal shifts: why mindset and beliefs matter more than schedules and strategies [00:15:21] – Warning signs you’re stuck in “achievement brain” and how that disconnects you from your kids [00:23:15] – Why missing moments with your kids isn’t bad—and how to handle the discomfort without guilt [00:34:00] – What kids really need from us: being seen, heard, and understood (not perfection) [00:40:45] – A simple exercise to align your beliefs, feelings, and results as a mom and entrepreneur 💬 Top 5 Quotes from the Episode “It’s not about what we’re doing that determines how we feel in motherhood, it’s about what’s happening on the inside.” “We can’t do it all. But we can absolutely be it all: an inspired professional and a loving, connected mom.” “The emotion is never the problem. How we tend to ourselves and our children through that emotion is what matters most.” “If I don’t know how to feel emotional discomfort and still trust I’m okay, I can’t trust my kids are okay when they feel it.” “You do not need to choose between being a good mom and a successful entrepreneur. You may want to, but you don’t need to.” 🔗 Links & Resources Learn more about Kate’s Calm Connection System - a simple 3-step system that helps driven, high-achieving mothers feel calm, present, and deeply connected with their young kids Grab Kate’s 21-Day Aligned Mom Reset (a free resilience-building practice) If this episode gave you a breath of fresh air in your motherhood and business journey, I’d be so grateful if you rated, followed, or left a review for The Nourished CEO Podcast. Your support helps more women find these conversations and build businesses that fit their real lives. 💛

Struggling to grow your email list? Discover effective strategies for attracting the right clients rather than just increasing numbers. Learn why generic lead magnets miss the mark and how a specific approach can drive engagement. Dive into the psychology of consumer behavior and the importance of tailored messaging in health marketing. Explore the impact of niching down and delivering value through targeted content that resonates with potential clients' specific concerns, ensuring your efforts lead to real conversions.

What does it really take to thrive in the online business world for over a decade, without burning out or quitting? In this powerful and honest conversation, I welcome back my friend and long-time entrepreneur, Steph Gaudreau. Steph is a strength coach, certified personal trainer, sports nutritionist, host of the Fuel Your Strength Podcast, and the creator of the Strong with Steph Lifting Program. She’s also a graduate of my Nourished Business Accelerator, and someone I deeply admire for her ability to evolve while staying anchored in her mission. Steph opens up about the realities of sustaining a business in an ever-changing online space, the unexpected struggles she faced (including nearly walking away after her book launch), and the pivotal mindset shifts that brought her renewed clarity, joy, and success. Whether you’re brand new to business or you’ve been in the trenches for years, this conversation will give you the strategies, inspiration, and real talk you need to stay in the game for the long haul. Timeline Highlights [2:10] – The rare resilience it takes to survive 10+ years in online business. [4:18] – Steph’s leap from high school science teacher to full-time entrepreneur. [8:06] – What’s old is new again: the resurgence of blogging, podcasts, and long-form content. [14:30] – Behind the scenes of Steph’s book launch—and the unexpected emotional aftermath. [20:05] – Rediscovering the missing ingredient: joy in your business. [26:15] – Why Steph shifted from short-term programs to long-term client relationships. [42:14] – Competing with tech-driven fitness brands by doubling down on personal connection. [49:11] – Steph’s hard-earned advice for creating a business with staying power. Top 5 Quotes from the Episode "Pace yourself. Momentum is great, but you also have to think about what it takes to sustain something for years, not just start it." "The missing piece for me was joy. If you’re not enjoying what you’re building, it’s going to be really hard to stick with it." "A cupcake without frosting is boring, but frosting without the cupcake doesn’t work either. You need the long-term, foundational content and the short-term, fun stuff." "You don’t have to scale the way everyone else does. Build the kind of business you actually want to run." "Strength training isn’t just about lifting more. It’s about being able to live your life fully without your fitness holding you back." Links & Resources Connect with Steph: stephgaudreau.com Listen to Fuel Your Strength Podcast Try a free workout with Steph If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, review, and share the show. Your support helps more entrepreneurs discover these conversations and equips them to build businesses they truly love.

Dr. Kasey Jo Orvidas, a psychologist and experienced fitness coach, discusses the vital role of mindset in health coaching. She reveals that effective coaching skills can be more transformative than marketing strategies. Kasey shares insights on overcoming psychological barriers that hinder client progress, emphasizing that mindset work is essential for client satisfaction and business growth. She also highlights practical coaching techniques to engage clients and foster a deeper connection, showcasing how addressing mindset can lead to better results and retention.

It feels like everything is shifting in the online coaching world lately, doesn’t it? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the five biggest trends reshaping our industry right now. Whether you’re tired of spinning your wheels trying to sell low-ticket offers, or you’re burnt out from the constant hustle of content creation, this episode is going to help you understand why things feel harder than they used to, and what you can do to shift into a more sustainable, profitable business model. I’ve been in this space for over a decade, and I can confidently say the past year and a half has brought some of the fastest and most dramatic changes I’ve ever seen. I’m sharing what’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to offers, marketing, and sales, and giving you actionable insights on how to stay ahead of the curve. If you want to thrive online in 2025 and beyond, this is a must-listen. Timeline Summary: [0:00] - Welcome back! Let’s talk about the big changes happening in the online business space. [1:48] - Why your old strategies may not be working anymore—and the course correction you need now. [3:04] - How sales cycles have shifted and what it means for your business growth. [7:06] - The course creator bubble is bursting—here's what to focus on instead. [14:35] - Why content creation alone won’t cut it anymore, and how to lean into your story and thought leadership. [23:48] - High-ticket, low-volume is the winning business model for most coaches and practitioners in 2025. [29:00] - How human connection is becoming your most valuable offer feature, even for scalable offers [34:00] - Why evergreen sales models are outperforming traditional launches in the health industry. [41:50] - Recap of all five trends and why now is the time to adapt. Top Quotes from the Episode: "People are no longer buying content. They're buying conviction, connection, and transformation." "Courses aren’t dead, but the course creator bubble is definitely bursting." "The people who are succeeding right now are the ones with systems that create consistent touchpoints." "You can bake authentic connection into your offer without burning yourself out on one-on-one sessions." "Evergreen enrollment isn’t just easier—it’s more aligned with how people make decisions today." Links & Resources: DM me the word "INFO" on Instagram to get my free training: @lauraschoenfeldrd Closing Thoughts: If this episode opened your eyes or gave you a fresh perspective, I would be so grateful if you left a review on Apple Podcasts! Your feedback helps other incredible coaches and practitioners discover the show and helps me continue to bring valuable insights your way. Don’t forget to rate, follow, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it!